Branzino with Grilled Ratatouille

Fish is natures fast food. This simple preparation of Branzino with grilled ratatouille lets the flavour of the fish shine. Not everyone wants to cook, or even eat, fish with the head on, but if you do this is perfect for summer entertaining. Of course you can make this recipe with fish filets too.

Simple sides are on he menu all summer. From a garden salad with edible flowers to salad sized Bocconcini Cherry Tomato Skewers, they add colour and variety to every meal.

Ingredients

Branzino is the northern Italian name for European sea bass, also called loup de mer. My husband has fond memories of fishing as a kid so every once in awhile he wants to cook whole fish. I added the grilled ratatouille for a tasty summer side dish.

• whole branzino
• lemon
• olive oil
• fresh oregano (or dried)

Grilled Ratatouille

• garlic
• red wine vinegar
• red onions
• red peppers
• zucchini, green and yellow
• Japanese eggplant
• Roma tomatoes
• fresh parsley and basil

See recipe card for exact amounts.

Substitutions

If you're a fish loving family you should cook whole fish on the barbecue soon. There are acceptable options for branzino that are similar white, lean, and flaky fish. I have not even eaten all of these but here's the list.

• black sea bass
• flounder
• red snapper
• tilapia
• rainbow trout
• whiting

Variations

Making this recipe with fish fillets is even easier. Serve these vegetable stacks on individual plates for a fancy presentation at the table.

Equipment

Everyone needs a few tools for grilling and a grilling basket of any kind works well for fish or vegetables. Grilling sheets are the best kept secret for gluten free cooks. They protect the surface from cross contact but still leave the grill marks we all want.

Branzino with Grilled Ratatouille

Whole grilled fish is a simple summer main course for fish lovers. Someone can remove the heads if that's too much of a stretch for your guests.

Print Pin Rate

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: European

Keyword: branzino, grilled fish

Prep Time: 20 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 12 minutes minutes

Ratatouille: 20 minutes minutes

Total Time: 15 minutes minutes

Servings: 4 people

Author: Cinde Little

Ingredients

• ▢ 4 whole branzino about 1-lb each, cleaned
• ▢ vegetable oil for brushing fish
• ▢ 1½ tablespoon fresh lemon juice
• ▢ ¼ teaspoon salt
• ▢ ¼ teaspoon pepper
• ▢ ½ cup olive oil
• ▢ 1 tablespoon fresh oregano (or 1 teaspoon dried oregano)
• ▢ 8 lemon slices
• ▢ 8 oregano sprigs
• ▢ kitchen string

VINAIGRETTE DRESSING

• ▢ 4 cloves garlic
• ▢ 2 tablespoon red wine vinegar
• ▢ ¾ cup olive oil
• ▢ salt & pepper

GRILLED RATATOUILLE

• ▢ 2 red onions
• ▢ 2 red peppers
• ▢ 2 zucchini quartered lengthwise
• ▢ 2 yellow squash quartered lengthwise
• ▢ 1 Japanese eggplant cut lengthwise
• ▢ 4 Roma tomatoes
• ▢ ¼ cup chopped fresh parsley
• ▢ ¼ cup chopped fresh basil

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Instructions

Branzino

• Whisk together lemon juice, salt and pepper, then slowly add olive oil in a stream, whisking until combined. Add oregano and set aside.
• Along the middle of each fish make 1-inch long diagonal slashes at 2-inch intervals on both sides of the fish. Brush fish all over with vegetable oil and season with 1 teaspoon each of salt and pepper (total).
• Season the fish cavity with salt and pepper. Insert 2 lemon slices and 2 sprigs of oregano in each fish. Using kitchen string tie fish closed at 2-inch intervals.
• Oil grill rack then place branzino on the grill. Close lid and cook for 6 minutes. Turn fish over using 2 metal spatulas. Cook for another 6 minutes or until cooked through.
• Transfer fish to platter, remove string and garnish with more lemon. I say let each guest cut off the head and remove the bones of their own fish.
• Serve fish with vinaigrette dressing.

Vinaigrette Dressing

• Combine garlic, red wine vinegar, olive oil, salt & pepper in a jar and shake. Set aside a third of the vinaigrette to serve with the fish at the table. Use the remaining vinaigrette to brush the vegetables.

Ratatouille

• Red Onion: Cut the ends off of each onion and peel. Holding the flat sides of the onion with your hand push skewers into the onion imagining where you will cut it to make 4 thick slices. The skewer should go through the onion right to the cutting board. Now insert a second skewer into each slice at a different angle. Cut the onion into thick slices cutting between the skewers. Push the skewers further through the onion to hold the slices together. Brush with vinaigrette and grill until soft, 8-10 minutes, turning once. Remove skewers and chop coarsely.
  
• Peppers: Brush peppers with oil and grill until skin is blackened, about 10 minutes. Place in a plastic bag for 5 minutes. Peel peppers, remove stem and seeds, cut into strips.
• Squash and Eggplant: Brush with vinaigrette and grill until soft, about 5 minutes, turning to cook all sides. Chop into bite size piece.
• Tomatoes: Brush with vinaigrette and grill until soft, 3-5 minutes, turning once. Chop coarsely.
• Final Assembly: Combine all grilled vegetables in a bowl, add parsley and basil. Toss with remaining vinaigrette. Serve with grilled fish.

Notes

Grilling can be part of the entertainment depending how big the crowd is. The grilled ratatouille can be prepared a few hours in advance if you prefer fewer last minute tasks.